Far too serious a topic indeed! Before he can break into some sort of oddly passionate tangent about how everything has flaws and that only makes them better (or something painfully heartful as that), he is fortunately focused on the sketch instead.

"Thank you for the opportunity," he begins genuinely, peering over at the sketch. "Oh! The fellow with the raticate! I think I saw them at the prior contest as well- they were quite prolific!"

So much cheese bread...

"I must say, while still a sketch you've captured the appearance of that hat quite remarkably."